Credit goes to Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (1791–1868), of London, for accidentally discovering plants under glass. Of course, the term of the time was Wardian Case, named after Dr. Ward, himself.
Doesn't that give you hope? Bontanist Dr.Ward aimed at moth cocoons and discovered something incredibly new.
 
This discovery led to the carryon of many different species of plants throughout the world. Question is, did the plants do this on purpose? Because it sure did take them to a new level of mobility! Read more at Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan.